Warning: Some violence in this chapter.
Ellie Lawliet's P.O.V.
"What are you!?" My captor screamed, stabbing me once again, this time right on the top of my left foot.
I was worried my sock would catch fire, but fortunately it only melted. However, that still left me with the immediate problem of there now being a hot fire poker pressing against my foot. My voice had broken long ago, leaving my screams as nothing but breathy wheezes mixed with hot tears.
At this point I'd stopped struggling. All my strength was gone, leaving me slumped in my chair against my bonds. Despite everything, I was proud of my resolve. I stuck to feigning ignorance even through everything my captor did to me. I didn't want this man to find out about L. If he did, my husband would be killed. Still, my kidnapper was relentless, and he loved his fire pokers. I would likely have these burn scars the rest of my life.
How long that life would be was uncertain at this point. I was starting to hope my kidnapper would just get it over with and stab his blasted poker through my heart. The knowledge of L's existence would die with me and I could watch over him as he catches Kira.
No. I can't think like that. How many people would be devastated at my passing? L, my siblings, my parents, my friends, all the people relying on me to take down Kira; If I was truly the only one who could see the shinigami then without me the world would be lost. I had to hold on. For them. For everyone. It was just a little pain… right?
I couldn't tell how much time had gone by, but based on the number of times my kidnapper left and returned hours later, it must have been days. They still hadn't removed my blindfold.
It still itched in the back of my mind, trying to figure out his voice. I know this person from somewhere. They had to own a death note and have the shinigami eyes, otherwise they wouldn't be rambling nonsense about not being able to see my name and life span.
I had no idea why he couldn't see my name or life span. I wasn't even wearing makeup, let alone a disguise. Maybe his eyes were wearing off. Was that a thing? It had to be, I wasn't anything special. I was a regular human just like anyone else.
I wanted to see L. He'd keep me safe from fire pokers, all while coming up with ingenious theories as to what was going on. Thinking of him was the only thing getting me through this ordeal. I'd always heard of torture, but I never could have imagined what it was really like. At this point, I was sure that the only thing keeping me together was sheer strength of will.
I felt another jab in the same place on my foot, forcing a sob out of my tired throat. What I wouldn't give for a drop of water…
"Answer me," the voice said, patience wearing thin, "What are you?"
I wanted to say something snarky, but my voice wasn't working. All I got out was a croak and a violent cough. It was just another pain to endure. L would find me. He had to. If anyone could track someone down with next to nothing to go on it was him.
As if on cue I heard a second voice, then a third, then a fourth. A whole hoard of people was running toward us shouting in Japanese. I heard a door being beat down, followed by gunshots. I remembered from somewhere that Japanese law prevented citizens from owning guns, which meant these were either more criminals or they were the police. I hoped it was the latter.
I heard the fire poker drop to the ground and someone removed my blindfold. I squinted against the sudden burst of light, but felt a flood of relief when I saw Mr. Yagami kneeling in front of me, cutting my bonds.
Without the ropes, I had nothing holding me up. I fell, but Yagami caught me before I could hit the ground. I tried to speak, but again, nothing would come out. All that screaming had seriously damaged my vocal chords. I hoped they would heal. To lose my voice would be to lose a part of my soul.
I had just enough strength to look around the room. I was in what looked like an apartment. I had been right about the wooden floor. Cut into the wall was a hearth with a roaring fire. Several different fire pokers were stuck into the coals, heating up. The man who had been torturing me was being held by three policemen working to wrestle him into handcuffs. He was screaming, "You will all be deleted! God will have justice!"
I finally knew where I recognized the voice from. This was Teru Mikami. I don't recall him showing up in the closet. That meant people from their world didn't have to arrive in the same place.
I was too weak to think about it any further. I relaxed, letting Mr. Yagami take care of me. He lifted me in his arms, cradling me like a child. He carried me up a narrow staircase. So, I was in a basement. That explains why no one had come to investigate my blood-curdling screams.
Yagami set me down on a stretcher, allowing paramedics to inspect the damage. They rushed me into an ambulance and Yagami climbed in, giving me a comfortable and familiar presence.
I was vaguely aware of him talking to me, trying to keep me awake, but I was far too tired to bother. Knowing I was in safe hands, I allowed my strength to finally give out. The world was swallowed by darkness.
I dreamt that the shiny person appeared, pulling me into a comforting embrace. He let me cry into his shoulder as I told him all about what had happened. He said nothing until I felt myself once again waking up.
As the dream faded he told me, "You are one step closer, dear one."